Hi! My name is Noah Griffith, and I am 18 years old. I live near Auburn, Alabama, and I am a freshman in college at Southern Union! I plan to major in journalism in hopes of becoming a sport's writer. I have always had a passion for sports, particularly with baseball and basketball,
and this career is how I want to continue to be in the sport's world since playing is not an option anymore.

I was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia in April of 2018, just before my 17th birthday. The time leading up to my diagnosis was rough. I had started experiencing symptoms with no explanation as to what was happening. When I noticed running and lifting weights was getting
more difficult, I began visiting many local doctors and therapists (and most of them had no idea what FA was), until I was finally sent to a neurologist at UAB who diagnosed me.

Hello everyone!

My name is Marina Deszo, and I am 30 years old. I am from a city near Sao Paulo, Guarulhos, in Brazil. My family was there, but I moved on to Sao Paulo city living, almost, on my own. I share a place with roommates since the beginning of college, and I am still there.

Talking about AF, I was diagnosed with 17, but I have had symptoms since I was 10. It was a relief to find a cause for the stranger way I felt about my body, but also anguish for an incurable condition. Fortunately, I was surrounded by family and very good friends, that always give me the strength to move on, besides all the struggles that we all patients deal with. Something like balance, walk, and strength problems.

Name: Collin Straathof

Age: 26

Where do you call home? the Netherlands

Education degree(s): Bachelor Sports marketing/Commercial economy. I work as an online marketer. This work is good for me, despite the difficulties that FA entails. I work three days at the office and also do some work at home in the field of online marketing.

Who do you live with? I live with my parents but often live with my girlfriend.

Name: Sam Hill

Age: 16

Where do you call home? Annapolis, Maryland

Education: Current grade - Junior in high school

Who do you live with? My parents and two sisters

What's a typical day for you? I go to school every day and spend my weekends doing homework and spending time with my family.

How long have you known you are living with FA? I was diagnosed by a neurologist in November of 2015

Are there any others with FA in your family? My younger sister Rebecca has FA as well.